How to Enter Statistical Data in the TI-84 Plus

What you use to enter statistical data into the TI-84 Plus calculator is the Stat List editor — a relatively large spreadsheet that can accommodate up to 20 columns (data lists). And each data list (column) can handle a maximum of 999 entries.

To use stat lists to enter your data into the calculator, follow these steps:

1. Press [STAT] to access the Stat EDIT menu.

   See the first screen.

   

2. Press [5][ENTER] to execute the SetUpEditor command.

   The SetUpEditor command clears all data lists (columns) from the Stat List editor and replaces them with the six default lists L₁ through L₆. Any lists that are cleared from the editor by this command are still in the memory of the calculator; they just don’t appear in the Stat List editor.

3. Press [STAT][ENTER] to enter the Stat List editor.

   If no one has ever used the Stat List editor in your calculator, then the Stat List editor looks like the second screen. If the Stat List editor has been used before, then some of the default lists L₁ through L₆ may contain data, as in the third screen.

4. If necessary, clear lists L₁ through L₆.

   When you clear a data list, the list’s contents (and not its name) will be erased, leaving an empty data list in the calculator’s memory. To clear the contents of a data list in the Stat List editor, use the

   

   keys to place the cursor on the name of a list appearing in a column heading, as shown in the first screen. To clear the list, press [CLEAR] and don’t panic when nothing seems to happen! Now, press [ENTER] or the down-arrow key to see the list contents disappear, as shown in the second screen.

   An alternative method of clearing a list is to press [STAT][4] on the Home screen to insert the ClearList command. Then press [2nd][STAT], use the up- and down-arrow keys to choose the list you want to clear, and press [ENTER]. To clear multiple lists at one time, place commas between the list names, as shown in the third screen.

   

5. Enter your data. Press [ENTER] after each entry.

   Use the arrow keys to place the cursor in the column where you want to make an entry. Use the keypad to enter your number and press [ENTER] when you’re finished. A column (list) can accommodate up to 999 entries.